Confusing Food Terms

Eating healthy can be tough, especially when food terms are confusing. Do you know the difference between “organic” and “natural”? Many people think they mean the same thing, but they don’t.

Labels like “whole grain” and “multigrain” are also puzzling. They sound healthy, but which one is better for you? This blog post will clear up these food terms, making it easier for you to choose what to eat.

Knowing what these terms mean can help you make better choices. It’s not just about understanding the label; it’s about what’s really in your food.

Key Takeaways

Some food terms are often misunderstood.
Knowing food label meanings helps in choosing healthier options.
This guide explains common confusing food terms.

Confusing Food Terms

Confusing food terms matter because they affect our food choices. If people don’t understand these terms, they might buy products that aren’t as healthy as they seem. This can impact your health and nutrition.

Clear knowledge of food terms helps in avoiding unhealthy ingredients. For example, knowing that “sugar-free” might still mean the product has artificial sweeteners can guide better choices.

These terms also play a role in food regulation. Governments use these terms to set standards for food labels. Understanding these standards can help you be more aware of what you’re eating.

Common Confusing Food Terms with Examples

Buffet vs. Banquet: A buffet lets people serve themselves from a variety of dishes. A banquet is a large meal with many courses, often for a celebration.

Example: “The wedding reception had a buffet, but the awards ceremony featured a banquet.”

Jelly vs. Jam: Jelly is made from fruit juice. Jam is made from crushed fruit. Both are used on toast or as fillings.

Example: “Peanut butter and jelly sandwich uses jelly, not jam.”

Broil vs. Bake: Broiling uses high heat from above. Baking uses even heat all around.

Example: “She broiled the steak for a crispy top but baked the pie.”

Stock vs. Broth: Stock is made by simmering bones and vegetables. Broth is made by simmering meat and vegetables.

Example: “The recipe called for chicken broth, not stock.”

Yam vs. Sweet Potato: Yams are starchy and dry. Sweet potatoes are sweet and moist.

Example: “Thanksgiving uses sweet potatoes, not yams.”

Cream vs. Creamer: Cream is a dairy product. Creamer is often non-dairy and used for coffee.

Example: “Add cream to the soup, not coffee creamer.”

Herbs vs. Spices: Herbs come from leafy parts of plants. Spices come from seeds, roots, or bark.

Example: “Use fresh herbs like basil, but use spices like cinnamon.”

Chowder vs. Bisque: Chowder is a chunky, hearty soup. Bisque is smooth and creamy, often made with seafood.

Example: “Lobster bisque is smooth, unlike clam chowder.”

Sorbet vs. Sherbet: Sorbet has no dairy. Sherbet contains a small amount of dairy.

Example: “Choose sorbet for a dairy-free option, unlike sherbet.”

Full List of Confusing Food Terms

Broth vs. Stock: Broth is a flavorful liquid made by simmering meat, while stock is made by simmering bones.
Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes: Yams are starchy tubers from Africa/Asia, while sweet potatoes are sweeter and come from the Americas.
Gelato vs. Ice Cream: Gelato has less air and more milk, making it denser than ice cream.
Jam vs. Jelly: Jam is made from whole fruit, while jelly is made from fruit juice.
Butter vs. Margarine: Butter is made from dairy cream, while margarine is a non-dairy spread made from vegetable oils.
Salsa vs. Picante Sauce: Salsa is a chunky mix of vegetables and spices, while picante sauce is a smoother, spicier version of salsa.
Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder: Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate, while baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate and an acidifying agent.
Cilantro vs. Coriander: Cilantro refers to the leaves of the plant, while coriander refers to the seeds.
Green Onions vs. Scallions: They are the same; both terms refer to young onions with long green stalks.
Cottage Cheese vs. Ricotta: Cottage cheese has curds and is more liquid, while ricotta is smoother and creamier.
Evaporated Milk vs. Condensed Milk: Evaporated milk is unsweetened, while condensed milk is sweetened.
Sorbet vs. Sherbet: Sorbet is dairy-free, while sherbet contains a small amount of dairy.
Raisins vs. Currants: Raisins are dried grapes, while currants are dried small berries from the currant bush.
Heavy Cream vs. Half-and-Half: Heavy cream has a higher fat content (36-40%), while half-and-half is a mix of milk and cream with about 10-18% fat.
Quinoa vs. Couscous: Quinoa is a seed, while couscous is a type of pasta made from semolina.
Green Beans vs. Haricots Verts: Green beans are thicker and less tender, while haricots verts are thinner and more tender.
Pancetta vs. Prosciutto: Pancetta is Italian bacon made from pork belly, while prosciutto is dry-cured ham.
Cacao vs. Cocoa: Cacao refers to raw, unprocessed beans, while cocoa is the processed powder.
Polenta vs. Grits: Polenta is made from yellow cornmeal, while grits are made from white corn.
Sushi vs. Sashimi: Sushi includes vinegared rice, while sashimi is just slices of raw fish.
Chili Powder vs. Chili Flakes: Chili powder is a blend of spices, while chili flakes are just crushed dried chilies.
Spring Roll vs. Egg Roll: Spring rolls have a thin, rice paper wrapper, while egg rolls have a thicker, flour-based wrapper.
Macaron vs. Macaroon: Macarons are delicate French almond meringue cookies, while macaroons are dense coconut cookies.
Zucchini vs. Cucumber: Zucchini is a type of squash, while cucumber is a gourd often eaten raw.
Miso vs. Tahini: Miso is a fermented soybean paste, while tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds.
Chives vs. Green Onions: Chives are a type of herb with a mild onion flavor, while green onions are young onions with a stronger taste.
Ceviche vs. Poke: Ceviche is a Latin American dish with raw fish cured in citrus, while poke is a Hawaiian dish with raw fish marinated in soy sauce.
Ghee vs. Clarified Butter: Ghee is clarified butter cooked longer to remove all water and milk solids, giving it a nutty flavor.
Kimchi vs. Sauerkraut: Kimchi is a spicy Korean fermented cabbage, while sauerkraut is a tangy German fermented cabbage.
Buckwheat vs. Bulgur: Buckwheat is a gluten-free seed, while bulgur is a form of whole wheat that’s been cracked and partially cooked
Chickpeas vs. Garbanzo Beans: They are the same; chickpeas and garbanzo beans are different names for the same legume.
Coconut Milk vs. Coconut Cream: Coconut milk is a thinner liquid made from grated coconut and water, while coconut cream is thicker and richer.
Farro vs. Spelt: Farro is an ancient wheat grain with a chewy texture, while spelt is another type of ancient wheat that is slightly nuttier.
Chia Seeds vs. Flax Seeds: Chia seeds are tiny, black or white seeds that gel when soaked, while flax seeds are larger and need to be ground to release their nutrients.
Capers vs. Caperberries: Capers are small, pickled flower buds, while caperberries are the larger fruit of the caper bush.
Balsamic Vinegar vs. Red Wine Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar is sweet and syrupy, made from grape must, while red wine vinegar is tangy and made from fermented red wine.
Panko vs. Breadcrumbs: Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb that is lighter and flakier, while regular breadcrumbs are finer and denser.
Tamari vs. Soy Sauce: Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce that’s usually gluten-free and thicker, while regular soy sauce often contains wheat and is saltier.
Mirin vs. Sake: Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine used for cooking, while sake is a Japanese rice wine used for drinking.
Couscous vs. Fregola: Couscous is a tiny pasta made from semolina, while fregola is a Sardinian pasta that is larger and toasted.
Crème Fraîche vs. Sour Cream: Crème fraîche is thicker, less tangy, and has a higher fat content than sour cream.
Pecorino vs. Parmesan: Pecorino is a hard Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk, while Parmesan is made from cow’s milk.
Marzipan vs. Almond Paste: Marzipan is sweeter and used for confectionery, while almond paste is less sweet and used for baking.
Lox vs. Smoked Salmon: Lox is cured in a salt-sugar brine but not smoked, while smoked salmon is cured and then smoked.
Radicchio vs. Red Cabbage: Radicchio is a bitter, red-leafed chicory, while red cabbage is a milder, cruciferous vegetable.
Plantains vs. Bananas: Plantains are starchy and usually cooked, while bananas are sweet and eaten raw.
Pita vs. Naan: Pita is a Middle Eastern flatbread with a pocket, while naan is an Indian flatbread that is thicker and often contains yogurt.
Provolone vs. Mozzarella: Provolone is a semi-hard cheese with a sharper flavor, while mozzarella is a soft, mild cheese.
Rutabaga vs. Turnip: Rutabaga is larger, sweeter, and has yellow flesh, while turnips are smaller, more bitter, and have white flesh.
Semolina vs. Polenta: Semolina is a coarse flour made from durum wheat, used in pasta and bread, while polenta is made from cornmeal.
Soba vs. Udon: Soba are thin Japanese noodles made from buckwheat, while udon are thick, chewy noodles made from wheat flour.
Beetroot vs. Sugar Beet: Beetroot is the red root vegetable eaten as a food, while sugar beet is grown for sugar extraction.
Couscous vs. Quinoa: Couscous is a type of pasta made from semolina, while quinoa is a seed that is often used as a grain.
Kefir vs. Yogurt: Kefir is a fermented milk drink with a thinner consistency and more probiotics, while yogurt is thicker and less tangy.
Marmalade vs. Jam: Marmalade is a type of preserve made from citrus fruit, including the peel, while jam is made from various fruits without the peel.
Fennel vs. Anise: Fennel is a vegetable with a mild licorice flavor, while anise is a spice with a stronger licorice taste.
Tapioca vs. Sago: Tapioca is made from cassava root, while sago is made from the pith of tropical palm stems.
Truffle vs. Truffle Oil: Truffles are rare, aromatic fungi, while truffle oil is a flavored oil that often contains no actual truffles.
Empanada vs. Pierogi: Empanadas are Spanish pastries filled with meat or sweets, while pierogi are Polish dumplings filled with potatoes, cheese, or meat.
Brie vs. Camembert: Both are soft, creamy cheeses from France, but Brie is milder and larger, while Camembert is stronger and smaller.